Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performances

A welcoming environment for all

If you would benefit from a more laid-back environment - particularly if you are an autistic or neurodivergent person or have a learning disability - our Relaxed Performances are for you!

These performances include small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Relaxed Performances we introduce the show and the characters, and highlight some of the moments that may make you jump or anxious. We have a chill-out area in the foyer so you can take a break, but still watch the show on a screen if you prefer.

Want to get to know the space before your visit? Take a look at our Visual Story for the Festival Theatre below

Very impressed with the care and thought put into the relaxed performance, the introduction was really useful and the bean bags outside a good idea, thank you

Audience member, The Famous Five Relaxed Performance (2022)

CFT Relaxed Performances kindly sponsored by Harwoods Group


Dementia Friendly Performances are designed for people living with dementia to enjoy with their families, friends and carers.

The performance includes small changes to create a more comfortable environment. You're welcome to come and go during the show, we'll reduce the volume and keep our houselights at a low level so you're never completely in the dark.

At our Dementia Friendly Performances, we do a little recap after the interval just to bring you up to speed before settling into the second act.

For more information email access@cft.org.uk or you can call the Box Office on 01243 781312

It was lovely to share the experience of going to the theatre with my husband who has Alzheimer's. This was a time we could have a normal life for a few hours.

Audience member, Crazy for You Dementia Friendly Performance (2022)

CFT Dementia Friendly activities kindly sponsored by George Ide LLP


Related items

  1. A dark green jungle scene, with light coming through the branches of a tree, creating a beautiful dappled effect, and lush ferns and plants. A girl stands with her back towards us, hands on her hips. She has long dark hair, and is wearing a dark sleeveless top, shorts and boots.
    Festival Theatre

    Relaxed performance: The Jungle Book

  2. A fair haired man in yellow short trousers with red braces, blue woolly jumper, blue gloves and blue woolly hat with curly goat horns attached, has a man on his back, also in yellow trousers, with a red jumper, red woolly hat with goat horns and mittens. They’re both raising their left arms. In between the legs of the fair haired man, on the floor, is a woman in the same yellow trousers and a white patterned jumper, gloves and hat with small goat horns. Behind them is a wall of grey rock.

    Relaxed Performance: The Three Billy Goats Gruff